7000 years ago
The area is the hunting grounds for the hunter-gatherer San people
500AD - 1690
The Cochoqua people of the pastoral khoikhoi nations graze their livestock in the region, and build their homesteads (kraals) along the rivers.
1652
Cape of Good Hope founded by Jan van Riebeeck.
1658
The first slaves arrive in the Cape
1659
Governor Jan Van Riebeeck makes the first Cape Wine in Wynberg
1679
Stellenbosch founded by Governor of the Cape Colony, Simon van der Stel, who named it after himself.
1682
The nearby town of Stellenbosch is known for the planting of oaks on the recommendation of Simon van der Stel. Many old oaks on Spier date to this early colonial period, including the great oak in the centre of our werf buildings. Other historical indigenous species still found on Spier are the Cape Willow, Wild Peach, Breede River Yellowwood and many varieties of reed and sedge.
1683
Arnoud Jansz settles on the Spier Farm.
1692
Governor Simon van der Stel signs the first Spier Title Deed when granting the property to Arnoud Jansz.
1754
Over 30 000 vines are grown on Spier, one of the best producers of quality wine in the region.
1767
Albertus Myburgh, owner at the time, builds his Wine Cellar, with the holbol gable dating to 1767.
1773
Shed or Cow House centre gable is built.
1778
Jonkershuis Workshop centre gable is built.
1812
Old Kitchen centre gable is built
1817
Jonkershuis centre gable is built.
1822
Manor House centre gable is added.
1825
The Slave Bell is built on the banks of the Eerste River by Andries Christoffel Van der Byl when he needs a great number of slaves to harvest the grapes from the estate's 80 000 vines
1834
Slavery is abolished but slaves must serve a four–year apprenticeship period before they are freed.
1965
Neil Joubert acquires Spier
1971
We bottle our first wine under the Spier label.
1971
The Stellenbosch Wine Route is established by Neil Joubert from Spier, Frans Malan from Simonsig and Spatz Sperling from Delheim.
1995
Our new wine cellar is built with a capacity to produce 50 000 cases of wine per year.
2000
The Spier Hotel opens.
2008
Spier releases its flagship wine, Frans K Smit, in a tribute to the man who built our reputation for great winemaking.
2008
The Spier Manor House undergoes extensive restoration.
2012
Spier launches the Gables audio walk, a self-guided fictional tour of the Spier farmstead.
2012
The Dying Slave, a 42,6sqm outdoor mosaic sculpture conceived by Marco Cianfanelli and created by Spier Architectural Arts, is installed at Spier.
2014
Spier wins the BASA Chairman’s Premier award in recognition of its "sustained and extraordinary commitment to the arts" in South Africa.
2015
Following a three-year conversion process initiated in 2011, the Spier farm is organically certified in 2014 and harvests its first organic grapes in 2015 to produce the Farm House range.
2016
Spier wins the Gold the African Responsible Tourism Awards in the category Best for Accommodation for Responsible Employment.
2017
The Spier Mosaic Kraal, South Africa’s first permanent outdoor exhibition of mosaic, opens at Spier.
2017
Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2015 wins the inaugural Veritas Vertex Award.
2018
Spier launches Growing for Good, investing in initiatives that empower our communities to make a positive social and environmental change.
2018
Spier wins the International Wine and Spirit Competition 2018 South African Producer of the Year.
2018
Spier wins the Amorim Biodiversity Award at the Drinks Business Green Awards Ceremony.
2019
Spier is the first winery in the world to receive Control Union Vegan Standard certification by the accredited certifying body Control Union.
2020
We established the Elemental Garden, an exploratory garden inspired by the four elements. This outdoor space features a tunnel, swing bridge, wind sculpture and a spiralling waterway with safe, treated water for splashing around on hot days.
2021
Spier received top honours with the Duimpie Bayly Veritas Vertex Award for the 2018 Spier Creative Block 5.
2021
Spier wins Platter's by Diners Club South African Wine Guide Editor’s Award - Winery of the Year in recognition of our team's performance and track record, as well as our outstanding international representation of South African wine.
2022
Spier wins the Ethical Award at the Drinks Business Green Awards Ceremony.
2022
The beautifully restored Manor House opens to host small, intimate food and wine experiences.